Tyler's Undoing (Gloves Off #1)(28)

In the spare bedroom, underneath the third floorboard to the left, there will be a notch to where you can slip your finger under it. Once you lift it up a little ways, you can pull the whole board up. Inside you’ll find a box that will help you through the hard times. Follow your dreams, sweetheart.

If there’s one thing I ask of you it’s to live your life to the fullest. Your grandfather told me last night that your new beau will take care of you. I believe him, which is why it’s easier to finally let go . . . but I’m also a firm believer on taking care of yourself. Spend your nights doing things that young kids do, instead of slaving away to earn your keep. You don’t need to do that anymore. You took care of me, now I’m going to take care of you. I love you, Kacey.

Love always,

Nana



“Kacey, are you okay?” Tyler asked, kneeling in front of me.

I hadn’t even realized he was standing there. Wiping away my tears, I quickly nodded and jumped off the couch, heading straight for the spare bedroom. “Come with me,” I offered.

When I got into the spare room, I looked down at the third floorboard to the left and got down on my knees. The notch she spoke of was tiny, so I stuck my pinky inside and lifted as hard as I could—the board moved. Once I had it in my grasp, I moved it to the side and took a deep breath . . . she was right, there was a box. It was a golden encrusted jewelry box that looked to be older than my grandmother and her mother before that.

“What are you doing?” Tyler asked softly.

“Here,” I said, passing him the letter. “My grandmother wrote it today. She told me she left me something here, and I came to check it out. Her mind had started to get worse these past few weeks so I didn’t know if it was true or not.”

Furrowing his brows, he took the letter and peered down into the hole. “What’s in it?”

Gently, I lifted the jewelry box out of the hole and set it on the floor. It was dusty from years of not being moved.

“I don’t know,” I replied. “I guess it’s time I found out.”

My fingers shook as I lifted the top of the jewelry box, revealing its many contents inside. Eyes wide, I shut it back and peered up at Tyler, completely in shock.

“Holy hell,” was all I could say.





One Week Later




NOW THAT HER grandmother’s affairs had been settled, things had finally started to calm down. She quit her job at the bar, much to Bree’s dislike, but she was determined to live her life according to her grandmother’s wishes. Besides, what she left in the box helped ease Kacey’s worries and put her ten steps closer to reaching her goal. She was so close.

Kacey was completely different from any of the girls I’d met. She let me see her pain and wasn’t ashamed, she owned it and fought when it threatened to drag her down. That was the kind of person I needed in my life. Kacey was a born fighter, strong-willed and genuine. If only I could get her to stop being so stubborn and let me help her. It was infuriating how hard-headed she was, but then my father said I was the same way.

Today, however, I showed up at Kacey’s house and told her to get in the car, along with her grandmother’s ashes. There was something she wanted to do and I was going to make sure it happened for her.

“Did you know she had that much money saved up?” I asked as I drove down the deserted, dusty road.

Dressed in a pair of denim shorts and a small green T-shirt, she was so f*cking beautiful with her blonde hair thrown up in a ponytail and no makeup on. I wouldn’t say she was completely innocent, but she was close. She was also way out of my league. I had never attracted girls like her, and for the first time in my life, I couldn’t treat her like I did with every other female I’d been with—nor did I want to.

This whole week I’d spent every free moment with her, helping her sort through her grandmother’s things. Never in a million years would I have imagined ever doing that for a female. Even at night when we were alone in her room sleeping together, I kept my distance and held her, trying so f*cking hard to keep my dick from poking her in the back. I wanted her . . . but it wasn’t the right time.

“I had no idea. If she hadn’t said anything, it would’ve stayed under the floor, untouched.”

In the box, there wasn’t just an insane amount of cash, but also some jewelry, including the antique sapphire ring she currently had on her ring finger. There were also some old photos of her grandparents, as well as pictures dating back hundreds of years. Apparently, the ring she wore was not just antique, but ancient. It was passed down from mother to daughter for centuries.

I was pretty sure if she sold that ring, she would get the last amount of money she needed to open her restaurant and then some. It was important to her—as it should be—so it didn’t surprise me when she said she wanted to work for the rest of the money. She was looking for a day job and it just so happened I had the perfect one for her. I just needed to wait for the right time to ask her.

It wasn’t long before the air field came into view and I turned into the parking lot, passing dozens of commercial planes, gliders, and helicopters, until we reached the one we were going to be flying in.

“What are we doing here?” Kacey asked, clutching the black and silver urn in her lap.

“We don’t have to go if you’re not ready to, but I know you said that your grandmother wanted her ashes to be spread across the Grand Canyon.”